AFRL supports TAPS families at Pentagon
By Senior Airman Hailey Haux, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information
/ Published June 02, 2015
1 of 2
DOWNLOAD HI-RES
/
PHOTO DETAILS
Representatives from the Air Force Research Lab were on hand to demonstrate various scientific principles during a 21st Annual Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors event at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 22, 2015. Here Erin Crawley with AFRL's Air Force Office of Scientific Research uses modular magnetic blocks to explore complexity of systems and create robots that can sense, act and think. The TAPS Good Grief Camp for children and teens provides a safe and supportive atmosphere for kids to learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems, and create awareness that they are not alone in their grief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi / Released)
2 of 2
DOWNLOAD HI-RES
/
PHOTO DETAILS
Defense Secretary Ash Carter presents challenge coins to members of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors at the Pentagon, May 22, 2015. The Pentagon hosted the families for a night of fun and remembrance to mark Memorial Day. The program, known as TAPS, offers support for military families who have lost a family member serving in the military. (DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Hurt / Released)
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --
Defense Secretary Ash Carter hosted a family night for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors families at the Pentagon, May 22, as part of the Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors.
TAPS offers compassionate care to all those who are grieving the death of a loved one who passed while serving in the armed forces. With music, games and gear for children to try on, the family night event is always held over a Memorial Day weekend.
"What you and your families have given and sacrificed for our country is something no one in this building will ever forget, no one in this country will ever forget, and no one in the world should ever forget," Carter said. "This, tonight, is to celebrate you, to welcome you home, to make you feel at home (and) to let you have fun, kids especially. (We've) got lots of cool stuff to do, a lot of fun for you to have, and a very nice way for you to know how much everyone around this country loves you and your family. You'll always be in our hearts."
During the event, more than 200 children and adults were able to meet other families in similar situations.
Groups of the TAPS families were escorted to the Pentagon's courtyard and through a variety of "stations" inside the building where adults and children participated in camp activities offered by the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Basketball Association. Air Force Research Lab representatives offered child-friendly science experiments, and three fighter pilots invited families try on helmets and flight suits.
"It's good to be around people who have the same stories because they know what you're about," said Bree Sullivan, a TAPS member. "It's nice to be around our military family and other survivors because it allows us to grieve without being embarrassed. I love seeing my kids having fun and running around."
There were booths from each service for TAPS families to walk around to, one being the Air Force booth, which had robots and other fun experiments from the Air Force Research Lab, and a paper airplane folding and flying contest.
"I liked the Air Force because they have jets," said Chase Sullivan, Bree Sullivan's son. "I want to be a pilot someday."